What in the world?! Where did all the time go?! How is it November 29th already? Freaky!

Ryan and I are sitting in a delightful little bagel shop in Nebraska - we've finished up our pumpkin and whole wheat bagels with our honey almond and apple spice cream cheese. We've found, possibly, the best coffee in the world.... cinnamon hazelnut praline <3>

Ryan and I have celebrated 5 months together.

I have 13 days of school left until my first semester of teaching Science ends and Christmas break begins.

Volleyball has ended and Partylite has been kicked up a notch.

The snow is here and Alyeska is open for the ski season.

Jeremy and Brittany have moved home from Colorado.

Many wedding bells are in the air but a lack of time and miles flash rudely as we try to figure out how to visit and celebrate.

And God remains the same... like a homing beacon guiding us safely in to port. He's still my strength, my guide, my hope, my shoulder to cry on. He's my security, and encouragement, my safe haven in the midst of the storm.

Though I'm not always sure of what is around the corner, I know I can count on Him. He, is the Reason for my Hope, the Reason for the wonderful Season of Thanksgiving and Celebration.

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.